Machine for removing husks from nuts



June 9, 1925'. 1,540,955

McHENRY ROSS MACHINE FOR REMOVING HUSKS FROM NUTS Filed Aug. 20, 1923 3 Sheet$Sheet l f 9* ll June 9, 1925.,

. M HENRY Ross MACHINE FOR REMOVING HUSKS FROM NUTS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 20, 1923 June 9, 1925.

. M HENRY ROSS MACHINE FOR REMQVINCT HUSKS FROM NUTS Filed Aug. 20, 1925 a Sheets-Sheet s www MW MM \h 'll-I I WMWQWNQ I! Ame rays Patented June 9, 1925.

UNITED 1ST ATES Miriam :QFFLCE.

:MGHENBY Ross, or Mona-am, cameos-um- MACHINE FOR REMOVING HUSKS ews.

Application filed au usmo, .1923. Ser'ia11ToU658341.

from Nuts, of which the following is a specification. V I

"vly invention relates to luisking-iniachines for removing the husksor hulls from nuts which, although of particular utility in the removal othusks from vmlnuts inay'he employed for operation with various other nuts.

Walnuts grow with an outorcovering sur rounding the shell which is commonly termed ahuslror hull. This husk when the nut is inin'iature is in vthe itorin oi" a green covering which protectsthe nut during its growth, and upon the ripeningol the nut dries, and, disassociating itself from the shell of the nut .coutained .thermvithin, cracks open in various spots, but does not tell array entirely from the nut and must he removed when the nuts are harvested. This removal of? the husk has been heretofore accomplished .manually, and constitutes a tedious and laborious oporation as eaoh nut must be handled separately rand the husk renxoved lhere'lroui' hy the lingers of :thc luisker.

My invention provides a machine which effectually removes the husks ifro n Walnuts, and thus eliminates the :hereinabove inantioned laborious llllldlll'lgl otthe zDlltS. The machine hereinafter described eitliciently removes the husks, and by itsuse, one operator enabled to husk a very large quantity of: nuts as 1(f0lllPlllQtl'llO the huskiug ottho nuts by manual labor.

The advantages andohjects oft-he invention will be inadeevident hereinafter.

Referring to theldrawings,which are for illustrative purposes only,

F l is anelovational View of a Walnut lniskingniachiue embodying-the features of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectiontakeu upon a plane represented by the line of F igz. 1.

Fig. 3 a plan view of the nuichine. shown in Fig. 1. p I

l is a fragmentary section taken on a plane represented by the line al-l-otliggz 3, and showing, to enlarged seals-the disposal oi the husk ren'iovlng members.

of a fiat 51M625 which is riveted ntits upper end to oneot the cross bars 223 an'd has '19 on the roarshait Ll. likewise-move up ardly'throughthe vert' F 5 i an enlarged fragmentary vertical section illustratingthe manner in which the nuts are carried through thehattery o t husk removing 1ne1nhers upon the vtrayelling carrier. a

Fig. 6 is a silrag inentary plan yie'w takrui as indies-lied by the line ;6.6 of Fig In the form of my invention shown in the vdrawings, a frame 11 having a hopper 12 mounted thereupon is employed, this arrangement ()Tlhfrflnle and hopper being su-hstantially as shown in Fig. ill-of the drawing. Supported upon the t'rarne are shatts 113, fi l and 15 which carry sprockets 17;, :13 and 19 over which ,a continuous traveler 20 israrried. This traveler as shown in l fl flll'vl. 5 is conveniently rforniedgota pair ofchains 22 which are-spaced apart and hav lateral bars23 connected therebetween at regularly spaced intervals Upon :these bars 23 cars 2413511? ,inountedn These cai ri-agesas shown in Figs. 5 and-6 are eaehcomprised the lower end extending doxvmovor tl esurcceding lf) .l.l 23, i, as indicated at 26. From the lower end 27 ofeach ipla diagonally .proj acting fi n gel s9 vare toriued.

These finger-s 29 are spaced apart insurh a manner that a nut may be, :arriedtherein asindicatedat 30in ;Fig.;5.

As shown in :Eig. 1, the shafts Band 15 are disposed in vertical alignment at vthe jfront of the frame 11 and thoshaft is located rearwardly and in ,a horizontal plane, with respcctto theshai't 13 so "that the traveler 20 may, by rotating then-*heelg-lf niounteduipon the end of theshail t :lt i lll tlie direction indicated by the arrow 36, be caused tolniovo through a course in (holdirection indicated by the arrows "38 and 39 in Fig. 1. lheretore thetraveler 20 moves upwardly vertically from the sprockets l8 and passes overthe sprocket 17 from whence itathen moves rearwardly over the sprockets The carriages 24L cal channels 412, situated at the lower end ot the hopper 12, and move vertically through the front end of the hopper as indicated by thedotted lines elBinFig. 1 and bythe full lines l-linFig. 2.

It will be noticed that the-bottom 0i the hopper l2 slopes downwardly toward the vertir xal channels l2, sothat nuts poured into the hopper will run-to the lower fore .25 a pair of ward end thereof and will drop into the channels 42. It will be further noticed that the channels 42 are of such length that a carriage 24 is at all times disposed therewithin, and that as each carriage rises from the top of its channel 42, the lower end of the channel will be closedv by the succeeding carriage, as indicated at 46 in Fig. 2. B this arrangement, it is possible to direct to the last nut the contents of the hopper onto the travelling carriages 24.

Upon passing over the sprockets 17 the traveler is carried forwardly upon a horizontal plane between the-upper side bars 48 which have a forward laterally extending angle 49 mounted thereacross, as indicated in Figs. 1, 3 and 5. Mounted forwardly upon the side bars 48 is across bar 50, also shown in Figs. 1 and 5. Upon each side of the courses through which the carriages 2st travel between the sprockets 17 and 19, knife supports are placed as shown in Figs. 3 to 6 inclusive; while directly above the courses of the carriages 2st supports are mounted upon the angle 49 and cross bar 50, which supports carry toothed members 57 which extend downwardly in a diagonal direction as shown at 58 in Fig. 5, into the path of a nut carried on one of the carriages 24. The knife supports 52 and 53 consist of horizontally spaced bars 60 between which knife holders 61 are pivotally mounted upon pins 62. A knife member 63 is mounted in each of the holders 61, and springs 64 as shown in Figs. 5 and 6 are provided for holding the knives 63 resilient ly in the path of the nuts carried in the carriages 24L. 1

The knife members 53 are preferably formed from flat steel and are bent to provide vertical knife portions 66 and parallel extending legs 67 which are engaged and secured in the mountings 61. The knife portions 66 are preferably sharpened as indicated at 69in'Fig. 6, and it is also preferable to alternately place the knife mountings 61 as shown in Fig. 6 so that a nut 70 will be engaged upon first one side and then the other by the knives. The toothed members 57 are also formed of flat steel and are pivoted upon the bars 72 forming the supports 55 by means of pins 7 3 which extend through the bar 72. Springs 741 are also provided for holding the members 57 resiliently in the positions shown at 58 in Fig. 5.

In the operation of the device, the traveler may be caused to move through rotating the shaft 14 by turning the wheel 35, which is accomplished by manually operating a handle 75 mounted upon the wheel, or by a motor and belt, not shown, passing over. the wheel 35. As shown in Fig. 5 of the drawing, the nuts are picked up by the carriages 2i and are carried upwardly from the position indicated at 76 and successively through the portions 77 and 78, from whence they are carried between the knife members 63 and beneath the toothed members 57. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the nuts are enclosed in husks which are dried and split open in various places but are nevertheless sufiiciently integral to prevent their removal from the nut without the expenditure of some force in breaking them apart.

As shown at 70 in Fig. 6, the nuts as they travel between the knives 63 are engaged alternately upon each side by the sharpened knife portions 66 which engage the husks and enter the cracks therein," thus. causing the husks to be pulled from the nuts as they advance rearwardly. At the same time, the nuts are engaged by the toothed members 57, the teeth 80 of which engage the husks and accomplish a tearing action thereupon which accomplishes a further removal and also a turning of the nut in the carriage so that different portions thereof are engaged by the members 63 and 67, as the nuttravels rearwardly. By the time each nut reaches the rear end of the course, the husk hasbeen removed therefrom, as shown at 82 in Fig. 5. The nut shown at 82, even though the husk has been removed therefrom, is still subject to engagement by members 57 as indicated at 83. This engagement, though ordinarily unnecessary, serves as an assurance that the husk will be entirely removed before the nut is dumped from the carriage onto a screen 84, shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

This screen 8% consists of a frame 85 having longitudinal rods 86 extending between the ends 87 thereof. These rods 86 are spaced apart at such a distance that a walnut will not pass therebetween but will roll therealong into a receptacle placed. beneath the lower end thereof, but, any husks which may be carried forward by the traveller 20 will pass through the bars 86 and will therefore not be carried into the nut receptacle. As shown particularly in Figs. 4 and 6, the members 57 converge toward their lower ends 89 so that as they are raised by the nuts as shown at 83, each member 57 may pass up between the sides of the succeeding member 57, therefore providing a continuous engagement of the nut with a toothed member as it is carried along. The turning action resulting from the employment of the toothed members 57, and from the alternate spacing of the knives 63, results in the efiicient removal of the husk.

I claim as my invention:

1. In 'a. husk remover of the class de scribed, the combination of: husk removing members disposed along a course; means for vcarrying nuts through said course in such a manner that said nuts will be engaged by said husk removing members; and means for turning said nuts as they are conducted along saidcourse so that the various portions of said nuts Will be engaged by said in such a: manner that said nuts will be en gaged by said husk removing members; and

resiliently disposed means for turning said nuts as they areconducted along saidcourse.

3. In a husk remover of the class describech'the combination of: a supporting structure; a hopper; a traveller passing through said hopper; carriages upon said traveller adapted to pick up nuts from said hopper and to discharge them at a point outside said hopper; and husk removing members disposed to engage said nuts as they are carried from said hopper to said point of discharge.

4:. In a husk remover ot the class described the combination of: a supporting structure; a hopper; a traveller passing through said hopper; carriages upon said traveller adaptedto pick up nuts from said hopper and to discharge them at a point outside said hopper; huskremoving mem bers disposed to engage said nuts asthey are carried from said hopper to said point o't'i discharge; and means tor turning" said nuts While being carried by said-carriages 53. In a husk remover ot the class described the combination of: a supporting structure; a hopper; a traveller passing through said hopper; carriages upon said travelleradapted to pickup nuts -from said hopper and to discharge-them at. a point outside said hopper; resiliently supported husk removing members disposed. to engage said nu s as they are carried from said said hopp I to said point of discharge; and means tor turning said nuts While being carried by saidcarriages.

6. In a husk remover of the class described, the combination of: a supporting structure; a hopper; a traveller passing tlu'ough said hopper; carriages upon said traveller adapted to pick up'nuts from said hopper and to discharge them at apoint outside said hopper; knife members supported upon structure for engaging said nuts as they are carried by said carriages to said point of discharge; and means for turning said nuts while being carried by said carriages.

7. In a husk remover of. the class described, the combination of: a supporting structure; a hopper; a traveller passing through said hopper; carriages upon said traveller adapted to pick up nuts from said hopper and to discharge them at a point outside said hopper; kni'te members supported in lOWS upon each side of the course travelled by said carriages from said hopper t-osaid pointbt-discha'rge, for engaging and removing the husks from said nuts; :and means for turning said nuts While beingicarried by saidicarriages.

8. Ina husk remover 'ot the class describechthecombination 'ot': a supporting structure; a, hopper; a traveller passing through said hopper; carriages upon said traveller adapted to pick up nuts from said hopper and to discharge them at a. point outside said hopper; kni'te members resiliently supported upon structurefor engaging said :nnts as they are carried-by said'carri age to said pointotdischarge; and means for turning said nuts While being carried by saidcarriages. y Y

9. In a husk remover of the class described, the combination ofzra supporting structure; a hopper; a traveller, passing through saidhopper; carriages upon said traveller adapted to pick up nuts from said hopper and to discharge them at a point outside said hopper; knife n'ien'ibers resil iently supported in rows upon each sideo't the course travelled by said carriages from said hopper to said point of discharge for engaging-and removing the husks from sa i d nuts; andme-ans for turning said nuts'ivhil'e being carried by said carriages.

10. In a husk remover of the class described the COll'ilJlliil-ilOll oi: a supporting structure; a hopper; a traveller passing thronghsaid hopper; carriages upon said ill) traveller adapted to pick up nuts from said hopper and to discharge them at a point outside said hopper; knitl e members resiliently supported in rows upon each side oi? the course travelled by said carriages from said hoppert-o said point of discharge tor engaging and removing the husks from said nuts; and toothed men'ibers mounted above said course and extending downwardly ina manner to engage said nuts carried by said carriages. y p

-.11. in :a husk remover ot the class de scribed the combination of: a supporting struct n'e; a hopper; a traveller passing through said hopper; carriages upon said traveller adapted to pick up nuts from said hopper and to discharge them at a point outside said hopper; knife members resiliently supported in rows upon each side of the course travelled by said carriages from said hopper to said point of discharge, for engaging and removing the husks from said nuts; and toothed members mounted above said course and extending downwardly in a manner to engage and turn said nuts car ried by said carriages. j

-12. In a husk remover of the class described the combination of: a supporting structure; a hopper; a traveller passing through said hopper; carriages upon said traveller adapted to pick up nuts from said hopper and to discharge them at a point outside said hopper; knife 'members resiliently supported in rows upon each side of the course travelled by said carriages from said hopper to said point of discharge, for engaging and removing the husks from said nuts; and toothed members resiliently mounted above said course and extending downwardly in a manner to engage and turn said nuts carried by said carriages.

'13. In a husk remover of the class described, the combination of: a supporting structure; a hopper; a traveller passing through said hopper; carriages upon said traveller adaptedto pick up nuts from said hopper and to discharge them at a point outside said hopper; knife members supported in rows upon each side of the course travelled by said carriages from said hopper to said point of discharge, -for engaging and removing the husks from said nuts, said rows of knives being oifset one from the other in order that said nuts will be alternately engaged first on one side and then the opposite side; and means for turning said nuts while being carried by said carriages. V

14:. In a husk remover of the class described, the combination of: a supporting structure; a hopper; a traveller passing through said hopper; carriages upon said traveller adapted to pick up nuts from said hopper and to discharge them at a point outside said hopper;

,knil e members resiliently supported in rows upon each side of the course travelled by said carriages from said hopper to said point of discharge, for engaging and renioving the husks from said nuts, said rows of knives being offset one from the other in order that said nuts will be alternately engaged first on one side and then the opposite side; and tooth members resiliently mounted above said course and extending downwardly in a manner to engage and turn said nuts carried by said carriages.

15. In a husk remover of the class de scribed, the combination of: a supporting structure; a hopper; a traveller passing through said hopper; carriages upon said traveller adapted to pick up nuts from said hopper and to discharge them at a point outside said hopper; knife members resiliently supported in rows upon each side of the course travelled by said carriages from said hopper to said point of discharge, for engaging and removing the husks from said nuts, said, rows of knives being ofl'set one from the other in order that said nuts will be alternately engaged first on one side and then the opposite side; tooth members resiliently mounted above said course and extending downwardly in a manner to engage and turnsaid nuts carriedby said carriages; and a screen supported upon said structure forreceiving said nuts as they are discharged from saidcarriages. V

16. In a husk remover of the class described, the'combination of: a supporting structure; a hopper; a traveller passing through said hopper; means for moving said traveller; carriages upon said traveller adapted to pick up nuts from said hopper and to discharge them at a point outside said hopper; knife members resiliently supported in rows upon each side of the course travelled by said carriages from said hopper to said point of discharge, for engaging and removing the husks from said nuts, said rows of knives being oflset one from the.

other inorder that said nuts will be alter nately engaged first on one side and then the opposite side; tooth members resiliently mounted above said course and extending downwardly in a manner to engage and turn said nuts carried by said carriages; and a screen supported upon said structure for receiving said nuts as they are discharged from said carriages.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Los Angeles, California, this 2nd day of August, 1923.

, MCHENRY ROSS. 

